Tensioning means for plating knitting machines



Oct. 1 1, 1932. J. LAWSON ET AL 1,382,429

TENSIONING MEANS FOR PLATING KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 12. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l Invert/i0 rs John/Lawson,- 13077193"? HLazvaotu Oct. 11, 1932. J. LAWSON ET AL v 1,882,429

TENSIONING MEANS FOR PLATING KNITTING MACHINES Filed Aug. 12. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Iwve iii/ ars Patented Oct. 11, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN LAWSON AND ROBERT H. LAWSON, OF PAWTUCKET, RHODE ISLAND, A SSIGNORS TO I-IEME HILL COMPANY, OF CENTRAL FALLS, RHODE ISLAND,

MASSACHUSETTS A CORPORATION 01 TENSIONING- MEANS FOR PLATING KNITTING MACHINES Application filed August 12, 1927. Serial No. 212,468.

This invention relates to means for controlling the tension upon a yarn or yarns in knitting machines and particularly to means for applying tension to a yarn or yarns at the time of yarn change. In the specific disclosure of the invention, the tension means is adapted to be operated automatically to apply tension to the back yarn of normal plating, which yarn is normally untensioned, but which it is desirable to tension during yarn change, so that said back yarn will be posi tioned well under the yarn binder and in proper position to be cut.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, we have disclosed a single embodiment thereof in the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is an. end elevation of a circular knitting machine having the invention applied thereto; I I

Fig. 1a is a plan view of a part of the binder plate and associated parts;

Fig. 2 is a detail in plan showing the latch ring or equivalent member and the yarn fingers carried thereby;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the yarn tensioning means to which we have chosen to show our invention as applied;

Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 3; I

Fig. 5 is a side elevation thereof; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical or cross section of Fig. 3

next to the first pair of tension disks from the left.

The invention may be applied to many different types of knitting machines, but is peculiarly adapted for use in a machine operating with a plurality of yarns and wherein yarn changes are made from time to time. The invention is peculiarly adapted to a knitting machine wherein plating is effected, and wherein the plating yarns are themselves changed from time to time. We have chosen to illustrate the invention as applied to a circular knitting machine of the well known Banner type as, for example, that disclosed in the patent to Robert Lawson, No. 1,605,896, dated November 2, 1926. Obviously, however, the invention may be applied to many other types of knitting machines,

and although we have chosen to disclose the invention as applied to a machine of the type shown in said patent, it is clearly to be understood that the invention is or may be of general application.

In Fig. 1, certain parts of a knitting machine are shown, but it is unnecessary to refer in detail to the said parts. It is sufiicient to state that while the machine may be of a spring beard needle or latch needle type, it is here represented as of the latch needle type and therefore is provided with a latch ring 1 carried within which is the binder plate 2 with which cooperates the binder 3 and cutter 4 in usual manner. Desirably the binder and cutter are operated as in the Banner machine, as, for example, by the usual binder lever indicated at 5, and controlled by-the vertically extending binder rod 6, which is operated in the usual manner. A movement of the said binder rod upwardly acts to open the binder 3 and the cutter at by reason of the usual connections between the binder lever 5 and the said binder 3 and cutter 4.

WVe have here represented the said machine as having disk members 7 8 of the general type disclosed in'said Lawson patent and whereby the position of the sinkers, web holders or special instrumentalities is controlled,

whereby either normal platingor reverse plating is effected, all as disclosed in the said" Lawson patent.

The latch ring or equivalent member 1 is,

as shown in Fig. 2, provided with a plurality of yarn fingersin accordance with usual practice. In the present instance we haverepresentecl five yarn fingers A, B, C, D, E,-with only three of which the present application of this inventionis particularly concerned, but

it is to be understood that the tensioning" means herein disclosed may be employed with any yarn finger or any number thereof.

While the yarn fingers may be variously used, the yarn finger A may be used or the body yarn, the yarn finger B for theheel and toe yarn, the yarnfinger C for a stripe yarn, the yarn finger D for a stripe yarn, and the yarn finger E fora stripe yarn. These yarn fingers are adapted to be moved into and out i of operation in accordance with pattern conto be cut.

adaptedfor use in a plating organization. Referring particularly to Figs. 2 to 6 inclutrol, all in accordance with knitting machine practice, and particularly according to the dictates of pattern mechanism of the Banner machine.

In knitting machine practice in feeding the yarns in a plating relation, one of the yarns is usually fed without tension and the other 7 yarn is fed under tension. Such feeding of yarns in a plating relation is disclosed in the patent to Robert H. Lawson, No. 1,605,895, November 2, 1926. In said patent, there is disclosed the feeding under, tension of the yarn which in normal platin appears at the front or outer face of the fabric, and the feeding without tension of the yarn that in normal plating appears at the back of the fabric.

The tension as. disclosed in said-patent is object of the invention is the provision of means for applying tension to a yarn at the instant said yarn isbeing changed, so that such yarn while being changed, may be positioned properly under or in functioning relation to the yarn binder and in proper position The invention is particularly sive, the creel rod is indicated at 9. At a suitable height thereon is secured by set screw 10 a bracket 11 which supports a frame 12 of general U shape. I with a base portion 13 adapted to be. supported in horizontal position and upright ends 14 and 15 wherein is mounted a fixed rod 16 having thereon at .spaced points a plurality of fixed disks or other tension members, here shown, as three in number, at 17 18, 19. Said disks constitute portions of tensioning means and are provided with hubs 17, 18, 19', which aresecured by screws 17", 18", 19", to the rod 16. Loosely mounted upon the said rod 16 are a corresponding number of movable disk members 20, 21, 22. adapted when in the position shown in Figs.

3 and 4. to tension the yarns passing between the same and the respective disks 1'7, 18. 19. Each of the said disks 20, 21, 22 is pro ided with a hub 23, 24, 25 respectively, slidably mounted on the rod 16 and terminating in shoulder 26, 27, 28 respectively. Coiled springs 29, 30, 31 are provided between said shoulders respectively and fixed collars 32, 33, 34 secured by set screws 32, 33, 34, to the said rod 16. The said springs 29, 30 and- 31 Said frame 12 is provided normally act to force the respective disks 20,

37 there is secured by a set screw 39 a'rod 40, which, as best shown in Fig. 1, extends downwardly in general parallelism at its lower part with the binder rod 6 and to which it is secured at its lower end by a block 41 by means of set screws '42, 43, or in other suitable manner. v I

The end members 14, 15 of'the frame 12 support a stationary guide rod 44over which th several yarns pass between the tensioning disks as indicated in Fig. 4. Mounted for lengthwise sliding movement upon said upright or end members 14, 15 is a rod 45 in parallelism with the rodv 16, and itis upon the said rod 45 that the pin or projection 35 is secured, as by aset screw 35. At proper intervals upon the said rod 45 are provided pins or members 46, 47, 48, here shown as secured in position by set screws 46, 47, 48. In the construction shown, the pins 46, 47, 48 extend laterally from the rod 45, and in order to prevent accidental turning of said rod, there is provided'any suitable means, but herein there is provided between nuts 49, 50, a bar or strip 57 which is slotted to embrace the reduced portion 52 of the rod 16, said reduced portion being of sufficient length to permit the necessary lengthwise movement of the rod 45.

When the disks arein the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4, tension is being applied to the several yarns or such of them as are passing therethro-ugh, but in the operation of the machine and when no yarn change, is being made the tension disks 20, 17; 21, 18 ;and 22, 19 are out of tensioning relation to each other respectviely, so that such of the yarns as are in operation pass without tension.v In order to move the several disks 20, 21, 22 out of tensioning position, the rod 40 is moved downwardly viewing Figs. 1 and 4, so that the. lever arm 36 engages the pin 35 and moves the said disk members 20, 21, 22 against the tension of their respective springs 29, so, 31.

Desirably the base 13 of the frame 12 is provided with guide eyes 53, 54, 55, for the threads that pass between the disk members 20, 17; 21, 18; and 22, 19,.respectively'. It will be assumed for the purpose of explaining one use only to which our invention may be put, that it is desired to plate interchangeably or otherwise with four yarns.

For example, it will be assumed that through each of the yarn fingers B, C and (Fig.

two yarns are fed in a plating relation. Through the yarn finger B there is fed a black yarn and a red yarn, through the yarn finger C a black yarn and a white yarn, and through the yarn finger D a. black yarn and a blue yarn. In each case, the black yarn which in normal plating would appear at the face of the fabric would be tensioned, as, for examle, by tension means, which may be similar to that shown in Fig. of the Lawson Patent No. 1,605,895, or any other suitable type, for the purpose. In each case the yarn which would appear at the back of the fabric would be untensioned, substantially as disclosed in said Patent No. 1,605,895. Whichever pair of yarns is desired at any time to appear in the fabric (that is, black and red, black and white or black and blue), is controlled by throwing the pro-per yarn finger B, C or D into action, the others bein thrown out of action. Reverse plating would be effected, in the case of any of the pairs of yarns, in the manner indicated in the said Patents Nos.

1,605,896 and 1,605,895.

The movement of any yarn finger out of action should carry the untensioned yarn of the two yarns fed by that finger into a position to be held by the binder and cut by the atter, but owing to the fact that the yarn is fed without tension, there is a liability or possibility that such untensioned yarn will not be properly bound and cut. It is therefore important to apply tension to the untensioned yarn at the instant, or very shortly prior to" the instant, wh-en'the untensioned yarn is being changed. Therefore the tension of the several pairs of tensioned disks, as disclosed in Figs. 3 and 1-, is rendered operative as disclosed, and whichever untensioned yarn is passing through the yarn finger being thrown out of action will be caught between the pair of disks pertaining thereto, whether it be the disks 20, 17 or the pair of disks 21, 18 or the pair of disks 22-, 19. The resultwill be to cause such yarn to be safely caught by the binder and to be cut by the cutter.

The application of tension for a brief period of time at or substantially simultaneousl with, or very slightly preceding the instant i of yarn change, results in moving the untensioned yarn, whatever it may be, which is to be withdrawn from action while under the yarn binder 3 and the cutter 4 of Fig. 1a, so as to be bound and cut. As soon as such yarn is cut, the tension is removed.

Other uses of our inventionwould involve the severing of any yarn which is withdrawn from action, whether it be a main or body yarn, a reinforcing yarn, a heel and toe yarn, or the like.

Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of this invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limiforth in the following claims.

- Weclaim':

'1. In a knitting machine, a binder-and a cutter, an operating member therefor which may be moved to cause the binder and the cutter to open, a pair oftensioned disks, means to maintain said disks in a non-yarntensioning relation, means to operate said last mentioned means so as to cause the disks to tension the yarn passing therebetween, and aconnection between the binder and the cutter operating means and theyarn tension controlling means forcau'sing the disksto function in a tensioning relation.

2. Thread changingdevices for knitting machines having thread tensioning devices, thread guides and thread cutting devices, in which the thread appertaining to the thread guide which at any moment is being put out of action, is placed under tension for trapping and cutting off, characterized in that the tension means are. controlled independently of the thread guides from the drive of the machine and are therefore not dependent for their movement upon movement of the thread guides, the mechanism being further characterized in that a plurality of pairs of tension disks are provided together with a supporting rod 16 therefor and an operating rod 48-shiftable to and fro parallel to said rod 16,'whereby in one position of the operating rod the tension disks are separated and in the other position the tension disks remain in yarn tensioning position.

3. Thread changing devices for knitting machines having thread tensioning devices,

thread guides and thread cutting devices, in

which the thread appertaining to the thread guide which at any moment is being put out of action, is placed under tensionvfor trapping and cutting off, characterized in that the tension means are controlled independently of the thread guides from the drive of the machine and are therefore not dependent for their movement upon movement of the threadguides, the mechanism being further characterized in that the tension means comprise a support, a rod-like member mounted therein and having one or more pairs of disks, means for holding said pair or pairs of disks in a non-tensioning relation, and means to cause said disks to function in a tensioning relation.

4. Thread changing devices for machines having thread tensioning devices,

knitting 3 thread guides and thread cutting devices, in;

which the thread appertaining to the'thread guide which at any moment is being put out.

of action, is placed under tension for trapping and cutting off, characterized in that the tension means are controlled independently of the thread guides from the drive of the machine and are therefore not dependentfor their movement upon movement of the thread guides, the inechanismbeing further characterized in that there are provided a binder and a yarn cutter, and tension means comprising a pair of tension disks, controlling means for the disks to maintain the latter in a non-tensioning relation, means to operate said last mentioned means so as to cause the disks to tension the yarn passing 7 therebetween, and a connection between the binder and the cutter operating means and the disk controlling means for causing the disks to function in a tensioning relation.

In testimony whereof, We have signedour names to this specification.

JOHN LAl/VSON. ROBERT H. LAWSON. 

